Karthiga

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Published on: Aug 13, 2026

Bihar Road Tax

In India, road tax is levied by the respective state governments on individuals for the use of their vehicle on public roads. The imposition of tax differs from state-to-state due to different tax rates set by the particular state government based on the vehicles. Road tax has to be paid by the vehicle owners at the time of registering their vehicle with the Regional Transport Office. In this article, we view the aspects of Bihar Road Tax in detail.

Bihar Vehicle Tax Act,1979

As per the provisions under the Bihar Vehicle Tax Act, 1979, the transport department is liable for the collection of road tax from vehicle owners in the state. The road tax payment is made on a monthly, quarterly, annual or lifetime basis. The registered owner or individual who owns a vehicle has to fill a form stating the particulars of the vehicle and its use in the state to the taxation authority.

Calculation of Road Tax

In Bihar, road tax is calculated based on the various factors such as the type of Vehicle (Two wheelers, Four wheelers) and purpose of usage (personal, transportation of goods). It also depends on the model, make seating capacity, engine capacity, etc. of the vehicle. The vehicle owner has to pay the tax according to the rate mentioned in the tax rules specified below.

Tax Rate on New Private Vehicles

For Motor Cycle
S.No Description of Vehicle Tax Rate
1. Up to Rs.1,00,000 8% of the vehicle cost.
2. Above Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.8,00,000. 9% of the vehicle cost.
3. Above Rs.8,00,000 and up to Rs.15,00,000. 10% of the vehicle cost.
4. Above Rs.15,00,000. 12% of the vehicle cost.
For Motorcars, Jeep and omnibuses up to seating capacity of 12 used for personal use.
S.No Description of Vehicle Tax Rate
1. Up to Rs.1,00,000 8% of the vehicle cost.
2. Above Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.8,00,000. 9% of the vehicle cost.
3. Above Rs.8,00,000 and up to Rs.15,00,000 10% of the vehicle cost.
4. Above Rs.15,00,000 12% of the vehicle cost.

Tax Rate on Commerical Vehicles

For Three Wheelers Note: Seating capacity no more than four persons (excluding Driver)
S.No Period Tax Amount
1. 15 years Rs.10,000
2. 10 years Rs.6,700
3. 5 years Rs.6000
Seating capacity, not more than seven years (excluding Driver)
S.No Period Tax Amount
1. 15 years Rs.15,000
2. 10 years Rs.11,000
3. 5 years Rs.9,000
For Motorcycle/Taxi/Motor Cab/Maxi Cab (excluding Three wheelers) having seating capacity up to 12
S.No Description of the Vehicle Tax Amount
1. Up to Rs.1,00,000 8% of the vehicle cost.
2. Above Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.8,00,000 9% of the vehicle cost.
3. Above Rs.8,00,000 and up to Rs.15,00,000 10% of the vehicle cost.
4. Above Rs.15,00,000 12% of the vehicle cost.
Transport vehicles other than goods carriage, motor cabs and maxi cabs exclusive of the driver and conductor.
Seating Capacity Ordinary Bus Semi-Deluxe Bus Deluxe Bus Volvo, Mecedez and equivalent Bus
13 to26 Rs.550 per seat Rs.675 per seat Rs.785 per seat nil
27 to 32 Rs.600 per seat Rs.750 per seat Rs.860 per seat. nil
32 onwards Rs.700 per seat Rs.870 per seat Rs.1025 per seat nil
Volvo mercedes and equivalent buses nil nil nil Rs.1300 per seat
For Goods Carriage
S.No Description of the Vehicle Tax Rate
1. Up to 1000 kgs registered laden weight capacity.   One time tax of Rs.8000/- at the time of registration in the state for a period of 10 years.
2. Exceeding 1000 kgs but not exceeding 3,000 of registered laden weight capacity. One time tax of Rs.6500/- per ton or part thereof at the time of registration in the state for a period of 10 years.
3. Exceeding 3,000 kgs but not exceeding 16,000 kgs of registered laden weight capacity. Rs.750/- per ton per year or any part thereof.
4. Exceeding 16,000 kgs but not exceeding 24,000 kgs of registered laden weight capacity. Rs.700/- per ton per year or any part thereof
5. Exceeding 24,000 kgs of registered laden weight capacity. Rs.600/- per ton per year or any part thereof.

Road Tax Exemptions in Bihar

Women who have registered a vehicle (3 or 4 wheeler) as a commercial vehicle and holding a valid driving license are exempted from paying road tax.

Time Limit of Tax Payment

The tax levied under Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 has to be paid at the time of registration of the vehicle in respect of an old motor vehicle if the fee(tax) payable for the lifetime of the vehicle has to be paid within thirty days from the expiry date of previous tax paid.

Penalty for Non-Payment of Tax

If a respective taxpayer fails to pay the road tax within the specified time limit, the assessing authority may impose a penalty of the prescribed amount with interest instantly.

Refund of Tax Paid

The refund of any excess tax paid can be claimed by requesting a refund in the application form to the taxation authority with the required documents. The taxation authority after verification with the particulars submitted will issue a refund voucher in the prescribed form to the taxable person.

Payment of Bihar Road Tax

The taxable person who is responsible for paying road tax on their personal vehicles may remit their taxes at the office where their vehicles are registered. For vehicles registered outside Bihar or temporarily used in the State, the taxes have to be paid at the border or the nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO). The mode of payment of taxes can be done either in cash or draft by filling in an application.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bihar Road Tax.

Road tax in Bihar is levied by the state government on vehicle owners for the use of their vehicles on public roads. It is a tax that vehicle owners must pay at the time of registering their vehicles with the Regional Transport Office.
The calculation of road tax in Bihar is based on various factors such as the type of vehicle (two-wheelers or four-wheelers), the purpose of usage (personal or transportation of goods), the vehicle's model, make, seating capacity, and engine capacity.
For new private vehicles in Bihar, the road tax rate is based on the vehicle's cost. It ranges from 8% of the vehicle cost for vehicles up to Rs. 1,00,000 to 12% of the vehicle cost for vehicles above Rs. 15,00,000.
For three-wheelers with a seating capacity of up to four persons (excluding the driver), the road tax in Bihar is a one-time payment ranging from Rs. 6,000 for a 5-year period to Rs. 10,000 for a 15-year period.
For goods carriers in Bihar, the road tax rate depends on the registered laden weight capacity. It ranges from a one-time tax of Rs. 8,000 for up to 1,000 kgs to Rs. 600 per ton per year for vehicles exceeding 24,000 kgs.
Yes, women who have registered a three or four-wheeler as a commercial vehicle and hold a valid driving license are exempt from paying road tax in Bihar.
If the road tax is not paid for the lifetime of the vehicle, it must be paid within 30 days from the expiry date of the previous tax paid.
If the road tax is not paid within the specified time limit, the assessing authority may impose a penalty of the prescribed amount along with interest.
Yes, if excess road tax has been paid, the taxable person can claim a refund by submitting an application with the required documents to the taxation authority.
Road tax in Bihar can be paid either in cash or by draft at the office where the vehicle is registered or at the nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO) for vehicles registered outside Bihar or temporarily used in the state.